Quantum compressed archive

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|formattype=electronic
 
|formattype=electronic
 
|subcat=Archiving
 
|subcat=Archiving
|extensions={{ext|q}}, {{ext|pak}}
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|extensions={{ext|q}}, others
|released=≤1995
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|released=≤1994
 
}}
 
}}
'''Quantum compressed archive''' is an archive format developed by Cinematronics corporation. It runs on a normal computer, not a [[quantum computer]].
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'''Quantum''' is a compressed archive utility, and associated file format, developed by Cinematronics corporation. It runs on a normal computer, not a [[quantum computer]].
 +
 
 +
== Discussion ==
 +
As of v0.97, the distribution includes:
 +
 
 +
* PAQ.EXE - Compressor for DOS
 +
* UNPAQ.EXE - Decompressor for DOS
 +
* QWIN.EXE - Decompressor for Windows 3.x
 +
 
 +
The software (at least for v0.96-0.97) is consistently named "Quantum", despite filenames that may suggest other names.
  
 
== Identification ==
 
== Identification ==
Files begin with bytes <code>'D' 'S'</code>. The next byte (the major version number) is probably always <code>0x00</code>.
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Files begin with bytes {{magic|'D' 'S'}}. The next byte (the major version number) is probably always <code>0x00</code>.
 +
 
 +
== Specifications ==
 +
* [{{SACFTPURL|pack|quant097.zip}} quant097.zip] → QUANTUM.DOC → "Archive file format" section
 +
* [http://www.russotto.net/quantumcomp.html Quantum compression format]
  
 
== Software ==
 
== Software ==
* [http://files.mpoli.fi/unpacked/software/dos/compress/quant097.zip/ quant097.zip] (old MS-DOS and Windows binaries)
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* {{CdTextfiles|pdos9606/ARCHIVER/TOOLS/QUANT096.ZIP|Quantum 0.96}}
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* [{{SACFTPURL|pack|quant097.zip}} Quantum 0.97]
  
 
== Sample files ==
 
== Sample files ==
 
* http://cd.textfiles.com/1000games/ → *.PAK
 
* http://cd.textfiles.com/1000games/ → *.PAK
 +
* https://telparia.com/fileFormatSamples/archive/quantum/
  
 
== Related formats ==
 
== Related formats ==
 
* Some Microsoft [[Cabinet|CAB]] files use the same "Quantum" compression scheme as this format.
 
* Some Microsoft [[Cabinet|CAB]] files use the same "Quantum" compression scheme as this format.
 
== Links ==
 
* [http://www.russotto.net/quantumcomp.html Quantum compression format]
 
* [[Wikipedia:Quantum compression|Wikipedia: Quantum compression]]
 

Revision as of 14:25, 13 November 2021

File Format
Name Quantum compressed archive
Ontology
Extension(s) .q, others
Released ≤1994

Quantum is a compressed archive utility, and associated file format, developed by Cinematronics corporation. It runs on a normal computer, not a quantum computer.

Contents

Discussion

As of v0.97, the distribution includes:

  • PAQ.EXE - Compressor for DOS
  • UNPAQ.EXE - Decompressor for DOS
  • QWIN.EXE - Decompressor for Windows 3.x

The software (at least for v0.96-0.97) is consistently named "Quantum", despite filenames that may suggest other names.

Identification

Files begin with bytes 'D' 'S'. The next byte (the major version number) is probably always 0x00.

Specifications

Software

Sample files

Related formats

  • Some Microsoft CAB files use the same "Quantum" compression scheme as this format.
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